Prosecutors in New York touched on the campaign finance allegations connected to Mayor Eric Adams, revealing the involvement of an ex-police officer who was friendly with the mayor. Dwayne Montgomery allegedly attempted to use campaign donations to secure lucrative contracts following Mayor Eric Adams’ ascension to office. Anthony Ricco, representing Montgomery, firmly denies any illicit motives behind his client’s actions and donations, asserting a lack of cooperation with the ongoing broader investigation and challenging the premise of the charges levied against Montgomery.
“This indictment didn’t happen until the mayor had been in office almost 18 months,” Ricco pointed out, emphasizing that Montgomery had no ulterior motives in his support for Adams. According to Ricco, Montgomery’s political inexperience and his prior commitment to the city’s welfare paint a different picture, one of dedication rather than manipulation. “Dwayne Montgomery gave a lifetime of service to the city of New York, putting his life on the line every day on various levels,” Ricco stated, suggesting that the allegations represent a distinct departure from Montgomery’s character and history of service, so much so they should be discredited, according to him.
The indictment, however, tells a more nuanced story, referencing a phone call in July 2021 where Montgomery allegedly discussed the campaign’s financial expectations with co-defendant Riza, a construction contractor. The conversation hinted at an awareness or expectation of financial contributions for campaign support.
Mayor Adams, distancing himself from the unfolding scandal, spoke of Montgomery as a once-valued associate who veered off course, while also highlighting his personal detachment from the events leading to Montgomery’s legal troubles. Furthermore, the mayor’s campaign faces additional scrutiny under an FBI investigation related to foreign donations, further entangling his administration in federal inquiries, although Adams himself has not been directly implicated in this separate probe.
The case against Montgomery and the broader implications for Mayor Adams’ administration remain unclear and details continue to emerge.
